Summer still continues, with rain forcast only to fall overnight between the two days at this event, the Croquet Handicap Tournament returning to Heaton Park for the first time since 2009. However with only three courts in service (Lawn 3 covered in moss still) entries were limited to a maximum of 12, and that’s exactly how many we had up till 8:53 on the first morning – is that the latest anyone’s had a withdrawal? Anyhow, play started for the remaining players, gathered from Birmingham, Bowdon, Bury, Chester & Southport bang on 9:15.

By close of play, only one player was unbeaten with three others tied on one loss, so all to play for on day two – but wait! – as Sunday dawned, another withdrawal, none other than our overnight leader, then the day just got weird.

A new leader emerged, (The Bury member who had originally commisioned the trophy) and the player from Chester who *always* finishes games in the time turn, was the first to finish the morning game in just over an hour!

By Tea, two players were tied with the same number of wins, but on who beat whom, Margaret Anderson wins the trophy. Runner up was Alan Farrell (Southport), with Steve Reynolds (Bowdon) in third place.